The "leader" - Robert Kubica with 6 engines in first 8 races

One of the new cost cutting rules introduced for 2009 season is limiting each driver to 8 engines per season only:

28.4 a) Each driver may use no more than eight engines during a Championship season. Should a driver use more than eight engines he will drop ten places on the starting grid at the first Event during which each additional engine is used.

With almost half a season over and first summer break upon us this is perhaps a good opportunity to look at how the drivers have been managing their engine allocations so far:

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Last week FOTA and FIA finally reached some sort of a deal and made peace. While the deal is still in place that peace hasn’t lasted for long. Instead of shutting up and moving on both sides obviously prefer to continue their war of words. Some FOTA representatives while presenting the deal to public could not resist to make few provocative remarks aimed at Max Mosley. Max Mosley being Max Mosley pulled the “I may reconsider and run again in October” weapon from his arsenal. So what is next ?

Well I believe that while the big egos will keep on talking on both sides of the divide the breakaway series is dead (for now) and the preparations for 2010 Formula One season will now go full steam ahead.

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Here is the final part of my photos from Silverstone – Saturday and Sunday action on the track. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures:

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Here is the second part of my photos from Silverstone. All the pictures below were taken during the free practice sessions, the best time to play around with camera. I had the best spot on Friday morning when I could get very close to the track. Here are the photos. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures:

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I was lucky enough to spend Friday and Saturday of the British GP in the Paddock Club and enjoy all the perks that come with the pass. Here are some of the pictures I took in the Paddock Club and during the pitlane walkabouts. Click on the thumbnails to see the full size pictures:

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Few days later than usual as I had to make it back from Silverstone first but the results of round 8 are here. The best score of this round is a massive one – psychy with 27 points – what a score !

There is now three way tie at the top of the provisional standings.

Round 8 results:

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The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on 24 June 2009. The following decisions were taken:

FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

All currently competing teams have committed to the FIA Formula One World Championship.

There will be no alternative series or championship and the rules for 2010 onwards will be the 2009 regulations as well as further regulations agreed prior to 29 April 2009.

As part of this agreement, the teams will, within two years, reduce the costs of competing in the championship to the level of the early 1990s. The manufacturer teams have agreed to assist the new entries for 2010 by providing technical assistance.

The manufacturer teams have further agreed to the permanent and continuing role of the FIA as the sport’s governing body. They have also committed to the commercial arrangements for the FIA Formula One World Championship until 2012 and have agreed to renegotiate and extend this contract before the end of that period.

All teams will adhere to an upgraded version of the governance provisions of the 1998 Concorde Agreement.

The following teams have been accepted for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Team (Constructor)
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO (FERRARI)
VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES (McLAREN MERCEDES)
BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM (BMW SAUBER)
RENAULT F1 TEAM (RENAULT)
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING (TOYOTA)
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO (STR TBA)
RED BULL RACING (RBR TBA)
AT&T WILLIAMS (WILLIAMS TOYOTA)
FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM (FORCE INDIA MERCEDES)
BRAWN GP FORMULA ONE TEAM (BRAWN TBA)
CAMPOS META TEAM (CAMPOS COSWORTH)
MANOR GRAND PRIX (MANOR COSWORTH)
TEAM US F1 (TEAM US F1 COSWORTH)

In view of this new agreement and with the prospect of a stable future for Formula One, FIA President Max Mosley has confirmed his decision not to stand for re-election in October this year.

Following overnight meetings between Max Mosley, Bernie Ecclestone and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo Max Mosley announced an agreement between FIA and FOTA.

Mosley has agreed not to run again for the president of FIA. The teams will call off the breakaway championship and sign up to a new Concorde Agreement until 2012.

Max Mosley:

“There will be no split. We have agreed to a reduction of costs. There will be one F1 championship but the objective is to get back to the spending levels of the early 1990s within two years.”

Later today the FIA is expected to announce the official entry list for the 2010 F1 World Championship.

We can expect more details to follow.

The last day at the track was purely about the Grand Prix. The morning trip from Northampton was very smooth and we arrived at the track in no time. This was perhaps the biggest crowd of this season but you would not notice it at the gates. No delays, everything smooth.

It looked like nice and warm day until we reached our seats at the top row of the Lufield C grandstand. The sunshine was blocked off by the roof while our back were exposed to the cool wind. This is where the copy of Red Bulletin came handy – worked perfect as the additional layer on my lower back .

The atmosphere at the track was unbelievable, especially during the drivers parade (picture above). Over 100,000 people at their noisiest, what a feeling.

The race itself was a bit boring. The fastest guy of the weekend was on pole, made no mistakes. He pulled away while his only serious challenger (Mark Webber) remained stuck behind Rubens Barrichello until the first round of pitstops. Jenson Button had horrible start and dropped behind the moving chicane that is Jarno Trulli and that was it. The only entertainment came from the “backmarkers” – Lewis Hamilton fighting with Fernando Alonso, Sebastien Bourdais colliding with Heikki Kovalainen (loosing his front wing in the process).

Sebastien Bourdais without front wing, Silverstone 2009

I was a bit in a hurry after the race as one we needed to make sure one of our friends does not miss his plane. So I quickly dropped my Kangaroo TV, met the Puma Fan Reporter Scott Woodwiss for quick chit chat and rushed back to Northampton. The trip back was surprisingly smooth as well and by 4:30 pm I was already sipping my first post race pint in the local pub near the house we have been staying this weekend.

Overall, although cold , this was a great F1 weekend. I wish I could confidently say that I will be back … I will post more of my photos (and results of the prediction game) after I return back from this trip, later this week.

Sebastian Vettel, 2009 British GP winner

Sebastian Vettel won the 2009 British GP after leading it from start to finish (except 2 laps following his second pit stop). Mark Webber finished second ahead or Rubens Barrichello.

Jenson Button never recovered from his poor start and finished the race in 6th just behind Felipe Massa and Nico Rosberg. Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen completed the top 8.

It was a good day for Giancarlo Fisichella who brought his Force India car home in respectable 10th. Worth noting is also that Nelson Piquet finished ahead of Fernando Alonso.

2009 British Grand Prix result:

1. S. Vettel – Red Bull – 1:22:49.328
2. M. Webber – Red Bull + 15.188
3. R. Barrichello – Brawn GP + 41.175
4. F. Massa – Ferrari + 45.043
5. N. Rosberg – Williams + 45.915
6. J. Button – Brawn GP + 46.285
7. J. Trulli – Toyota + 1:08.307
8. K. Räikkönen – Ferrari + 1:09.622

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Force India garage

My day started with the early morning pitlane walk. If anybody gets the chance to do the pitlane walkabout, make sure you don’t miss the one on Saturday morning. It requires rather early wake up but it is well worth it. Not too many people and lots of time to wander around the pitlane.

Although I also had the Paddock Club pass for today I planned to watch the practice and qualifying session from my Lufield grandstand seat. At the end I gave up and stayed in the Club and Club grandstand for the whole day. Lot to enjoy and much less to walk around.

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Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel will start the 2009 British Grand Prix from the pole postion. Rubens Barrichello will line up next to him on the front row. Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli make up the second row. Kazuki Nakajima will start from his career best P5 while the championship leader Jenson Button could only manage P6 today.

Besides being fastest Vettel is also the heaviest driver among the top 10, he does look like the man to beat this weekend…

It was not the best day for the 2008 British GP winner Lewis Hamilton who only managed P19 today….

2009 British GP Qualifying result:

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